Game device, game device control method, program, program distribution device, information storage medium

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a game device that can display strings more suited to speech recognition at the time of speech input. A priority input device information acquisition unit ( 56 ) acquires priority input device information. When the priority input device information represents a character input device, an input criteria display unit ( 58 ) and a determination unit ( 60 ) display character input criteria as input criteria and determine whether or not that input corresponds to the input criteria. When the priority input device information represents a speech input device, the input criteria display unit ( 58 ) and the determination unit ( 60 ) display character input criteria as input criteria, and in regard to predetermined character input criteria, display speech input criteria corresponding to the character input criteria as input criteria, and determine whether or not that input corresponds to speech recognition data corresponding to the input criteria. A controller ( 62 ) controls the game on the basis of the determination result.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a game device, a game device controlmethod, a program, a program distribution device and an informationstorage medium.

BACKGROUND ART

A game device is known which displays, to a player, strings as inputcriteria, compares the input criteria with input by the player, andcontrols a game (e.g., controls the progress of a story) on the basis ofthe comparison result.

When such a game device is configured so that the input by the playercan be conducted with a speech input device, the game enjoyableness andoperability can be improved, but depending on the strings displayed asthe input criteria, there are instances where these are not suited tothe speech input device. For example, when the length of the strings isshort, there are problems such as the speech recognition rate dropping.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above, and aimsto provide a game device, a game control method, a program, a programdistribution device and an information storage medium that can displaystrings more suited to speech recognition at the time of speech input.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to solve the above problems, a game device of the presentinvention comprises: priority input device information acquisition meansfor acquiring priority input device information; character inputprocessing means which, when the priority input device informationacquired by the priority input device information acquisition meansrepresents a character input device, displays character input criteriaas input criteria, determines whether or not that input corresponds tothe input criteria, and controls a game on the basis of thedetermination result; and speech input processing means which, when thepriority input device information acquired by the priority input deviceinformation acquisition means represents a speech input device, displayscharacter input criteria as input criteria, and in regard topredetermined character input criteria, displays speech input criteriacorresponding to the character input criteria as input criteria,determines whether or not that input corresponds to speech recognitiondata corresponding to the input criteria, and controls the game on thebasis of the determination result.

Also, a control method for a game device of the present inventioncomprises: a priority input device information acquisition step ofacquiring priority input device information; a character inputprocessing step which, when the priority input device informationacquired in the priority input device information acquisition steprepresents a character input device, displays character input criteriaas input criteria, determines whether or not that input corresponds tothe input criteria, and controls a game on the basis of thedetermination result; and a speech input processing step which, when thepriority input device information acquired in the priority input deviceinformation acquisition step represents a speech input device, displayscharacter input criteria as input criteria, and in regard topredetermined character input criteria, displays speech input criteriacorresponding to the character input criteria as input criteria,determines whether or not that input corresponds to speech recognitiondata corresponding to the input criteria, and controls the game on thebasis of the determination result.

Also, a program of the present invention is a program for causing acomputer to function as a game device, such as a home-use game device, acommercial-use game device, a portable game device, a portable telephonedevice or a personal computer, which causes the computer to function as:priority input device information acquisition means for acquiringpriority input device information; character input processing meanswhich, when the priority input device information acquired by thepriority input device information acquisition means represents acharacter input device, displays character input criteria as inputcriteria, determines whether or not that input corresponds to the inputcriteria, and controls a game on the basis of the determination result;and speech input processing means which, when the priority input deviceinformation acquired by the priority input device informationacquisition means represents a speech input device, displays characterinput criteria as input criteria, and in regard to predeterminedcharacter input criteria, displays speech input criteria correspondingto the character input criteria as input criteria, determines whether ornot that input corresponds to speech recognition data corresponding tothe input criteria, and controls the game on the basis of thedetermination result. The program may be configured so that it is storedin an information recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD (trademark)or a memory card.

In the present invention, priority input device information is acquired.Here, the priority input device information is information representingwhich input device connected to the game device is to be given priority(used). When the priority input device information represents acharacter input device, character input criteria are displayed as inputcriteria, it is determined whether or not that input corresponds to theinput criteria, and the game is controlled on the basis of thedetermination result. When the priority input device informationrepresents a speech input device, character input criteria are displayedas input criteria, and in regard to predetermined character inputcriteria, speech input criteria corresponding to the character inputcriteria are displayed as input criteria, it is determined whether ornot that input corresponds to speech recognition data pertaining to theinput criteria, and the game is controlled on the basis of thedetermination result. Here, the predetermined character input criteriamay be character input criteria not suited to speech input, for example(character input criteria where the speech recognition rate drops due tothe string length being short). Also, the speech input criteria may beinput criteria where predetermined strings are attached to characterinput criteria, for example. The speech input criteria may also be inputcriteria where character input criteria are plurally repeated. Thespeech input criteria may also be input criteria where a name that theplayer has set is attached to character input criteria. The speech inputcriteria may also be combinations of these.

According to the present invention, when the priority input deviceinformation represents a speech input device, in regard to predeterminedcharacter input criteria, speech input criteria corresponding to thecharacter input criteria are displayed as input criteria, and thedetermination with respect to the input can be done on the basis ofspeech recognition data corresponding to the speech input criteria. Byconfiguring the invention in this manner, input criteria more suited tospeech input can be displayed in place of input criteria not suited tospeech input at the time of speech input.

Also, a game device of the present invention comprises: basic stringstorage means for storing a plurality of basic strings; substitutestring storage means for storing a substitute string corresponding toeach of at least some of the plurality of basic strings stored in thebasic string storage means; speech recognition data storage means which,in regard to basic strings to which the substitute string has not beenstored correspondingly in the substitute string storage means of theplurality of basic strings stored in the basic string storage means,stores speech recognition data corresponding to the basic string in amanner corresponding to each of those basic strings, and in regard tobasic strings to which the substitute string has been storedcorrespondingly in the substitute string storage means of the pluralityof basic strings stored in the basic string storage means, stores speechrecognition data corresponding to the substitute string in a mannercorresponding to each of those basic strings; priority input deviceinformation acquisition means for acquiring priority input deviceinformation; input criteria display means which, when the priority inputdevice information acquired by the priority input device informationacquisition means represents a character input device, displays, asinput criteria, the basic strings stored, in the basic string storagemeans, and when the priority input device information acquired by thepriority input device information acquisition means represents a speechinput device, in regard to the basic strings to which the substitutestring has not been stored correspondingly in the substitute stringstorage means of the plurality of basic strings stored in the basicstring storage means, displays those basic strings as input criteria,and in regard to the basic strings to which the substitute string hasbeen stored correspondingly in the substitute string storage means ofthe plurality of basic strings stored in the basic string storage means,displays those substitute strings as input criteria; determination meanswhich, when the priority input device information acquired by thepriority input device information acquisition means represents acharacter input device, determines whether or not the input thereofcorresponds to the input criteria displayed by the input criteriadisplay means, and when the priority input device information acquiredby the priority input device information acquisition means represents aspeech input device, determines whether or not the input thereofcorresponds to the speech recognition data correlated with the inputcriteria displayed by the input criteria display means; and controlmeans for controlling the game on the basis of the result ofdetermination by the determination means.

In this invention, a plurality of basic strings are stored. A substitutestring is stored in a manner corresponding to each of at least some ofthe plurality of basic strings. Moreover, of the plurality of basicstrings, in regard to basic strings to which the substitute string hasnot been stored in a corresponding manner, speech recognition datacorresponding to the basic string is stored in a manner corresponding toeach of those basic strings, and in regard to basic strings to which thesubstitute string has been stored in a corresponding manner, speechrecognition data corresponding to the substitute string is stored in amanner corresponding to each of those basic strings. Additionally,priority input device information is acquired. When the priority inputdevice information represents a character input device, the basicstrings are displayed as input criteria, and it is determined whether ornot that input corresponds to the input criteria. When the priorityinput device information represents a speech input device, in regard tobasic strings to which the substitute string has not been stored in acorresponding manner, those basic strings are displayed as the inputcriteria, and in regard to basic strings to which the substitute stringhas been stored in a corresponding manner, those substitute strings aredisplayed as the input criteria, and it is determined whether or notthat input corresponds to speech recognition data correlated with theinput criteria. Additionally, the game is controlled on the basis of thedetermination result. Here, the strings include strings of a length of1, i.e., characters.

According to this invention, when the priority input device informationrepresents a speech input device, in a case where substitute stringshave not been correlated and stored, the basic strings are displayed asthe input criteria, and in a case where substitute strings have beencorrelated and stored, the substitute strings are displayed as the inputcriteria, and it is determined whether or not that input corresponds tospeech recognition data correlated with the input criteria. Byconfiguring the invention in this manner, input criteria (strings) moresuited to speech input can be displayed in place of input criteria(strings) not suited to speech input at the time of speech input (at thetime a speech input device is used).

In one aspect of the invention, the input criteria display meansdisplays the input criteria in a font size according to the priorityinput device information acquired by the priority input deviceinformation acquisition means. By configuring the invention in thismanner, the display font size of the input criteria can be changed inaccordance with the priority input device information.

Also, in one aspect of the invention, the control means comprises meansfor controlling the probability of predetermined game events on thebasis of the priority input device information acquired by the priorityinput device information acquisition means. By configuring the inventionin this manner, the probability of game events can be controlled inaccordance with the priority input device information.

Also, a game device of the present invention comprises: means foracquiring priority input device information; means for displaying inputcriteria of which at least some are different between when the priorityinput device information represents a character input device and whenthe priority input device information represents a speech input device;means for determining, when the priority input device informationrepresents a character input device and when the priority input deviceinformation represents a speech input device, whether or not the inputthereof corresponds to the different input criteria; and means forcontrolling a game on the basis of the determination result.

Also, a control method for a game device of the present inventioncomprises: a step of acquiring priority input device information; a stepof displaying, on display means, input criteria of which at least someare different between when the priority input device informationrepresents a character input device and when the priority input deviceinformation represents a speech input device; a step of determining,when the priority input device information represents a character inputdevice and when the priority input device information represents aspeech input device, whether or not the input thereof corresponds to thedifferent input criteria; and a step of controlling a game on the basisof the determination result.

Also, a program of the present invention is a program for causing acomputer to function as a game device, such as a home-use game device, acommercial-use game device, a portable game device, a portable telephonedevice or a personal computer, comprising: means for acquiring priorityinput device information; means for displaying input criteria of whichat least some are different between when the priority input deviceinformation represents a character input device and when the priorityinput device information represents a speech input device; means fordetermining, when the priority input device information represents acharacter input device and when the priority input device informationrepresents a speech input device, whether or not the input thereofcorresponds to the different input criteria; and means for controlling agame on the basis of the determination result. The program may beconfigured so that it is stored in an information recording medium suchas a CD-ROM, a DVD (trademark) or a memory card.

In this invention, priority input device information is acquired, andinput criteria of which at least some are different between when thepriority input device information represents a character input deviceand when the priority input device information represents a speech inputdevice are displayed. Additionally, it is determined, when the priorityinput device information represents a character input device and whenthe priority input device information represents a speech input device,whether or not the input thereof corresponds to the different inputcriteria. Additionally, the game is controlled on the basis of thedetermination result. According to this invention, at least some of theinput criteria can be changed between the time of character input andthe time of speech input. It can also be determined whether or not thecharacter input or the speech input corresponds to the input criteria.

In one aspect of the invention, the game device is connectable to acharacter input device and a speech input device.

Also, a program distribution device of the present invention is aprogram distribution device comprising an information storage medium inwhich is recorded the program of the present invention, reads theprogram from the information storage medium, and distributes the programat once or divisionally. By all-at-once distribution is meant the entireprogram is distributed all at once, for example. By divisionaldistribution is meant that the necessary portions of the program aredistributed in response to the stage of game, for example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game deviceof an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the game device of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an option information table ofthe embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a game screen of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing processing in the game device of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing processing in the game device of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing processing in the game device of theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a programdistribution system of another embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention will be described in detail below on thebasis of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of a game device10. As shown in FIG. 1, the game device 10 is configured by a DVD(Digital Versatile Disk; trademark) 25, which is an information storagemedium, being loaded in a home-use game device 46 connected to a monitor18 and a speaker 22. Here, the DVD 25 is used to supply a game programand game data to the home-use game device 46, but all other informationstorage media, such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disk—Read Only Memory;trademark) or a ROM (Read Only Memory) card, can be used. The gameprogram and game data can also be supplied from a remote location to thehome-use game device 46 via a data communication network such as theInternet.

The home-use game device 46 includes a microprocessor 14, a graphicsprocessing unit 16, a main memory 26, an input/output control unit 30, aperipheral device interface 31, a sound processing unit 20 and a DVDplayer 24. The microprocessor 14, the graphics processing unit 16, themain memory 26, the input/output control unit 30 and the peripheraldevice interface 31 are interconnected so as to be capable of mutualdata communication using a bus 12. A controller 48, the sound processingunit 20 and the DVD player 24 are connected to the input/output controlunit 30. An input device 42 is connected to the peripheral deviceinterface 31. The constituent elements of the home-use game device 46are housed within a casing. Here, a home-use television receiver is usedas the monitor 18, and an internal speaker is used as the speaker 22.

The microprocessor 14 controls each part of the home-use game device 46on the basis of an operating system stored in an unillustrated ROM and agame program read from the DVD 25. A bus 12 is for exchanging addressesand data between each part of the home-use game device 46. The gameprogram and game data read from the DVD 25 are written as needed in themain memory 26. The graphics processing unit 16 includes a VRAM (VideoRandom Access Memory), receives image data sent from the microprocessor14, plots a game screen on the VRAM, converts the content thereof intovideo signals, and outputs the video signals to the monitor 18.

The input/output control unit 30 is an interface for relaying datacommunication between microprocessor 14 and the controller 48, the soundprocessing unit 20 or the DVD player 24. The controller 48 is operationinput means for the player to input various game operations. The soundprocessing unit 20 includes a sound buffer, plays data such as music andgame sound effects read from the DVD 25 and stored in the sound buffer,and outputs the music and game sound effects from the speaker 22. TheDVD player 24 reads the game program and game data recorded on the DVD25 in accordance with an instruction from the microprocessor 14. Theperipheral device interface 31 is an interface for connecting variousperipheral devices to the home-use game device 46; a USB (UniversalSerial Bus) interface can be used, for example. Here, a keyboard(character input device) and a microphone (speech input device), forexample, are connected to the peripheral device interface 31.

In the present embodiment, a nurture simulation game that nurtures a dogfrom a puppy to an adult dog is realized by the game device 10 havingthe above configuration. In this game, a player uses an input device(the input device 42, the controller 48, etc.) to input strings (inputcriteria) displayed as options on the game screen, where by the playerselects the options. Then, when selection of the options is conducted,the game progresses on the basis of the selection results (specifically,the nurture parameters of the dog are changed). In this game, acharacter input mode and a speech input mode are provided. The characterinput mode is a game mode where input according to displayed strings isconducted with a character input device. Here, the character inputdevice is an input device with which characters can be inputted, such asa keyboard or a game controller (software keyboard). The speech inputmode is a game mode where input according to displayed strings isconducted with a speech input device. It should be noted that this gameis realized as a result of the game program supplied to the game device10 by the DVD 25 or the like being executed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing, of the functions executed in the gamedevice 10, the functions relating to the invention. These functions arerealized by the game device 10 executing the game program. The gameprogram is supplied to a computer by an information storage mediumreadable by a computer, such as the DVD 25, or a communication networksuch as the Internet. As shown in FIG. 2, the game device 10 includes abasic string storage unit 50, a substitute string storage unit 52, aspeech recognition data storage unit 54, a priority input deviceinformation acquisition unit 56, an input criteria display unit 58, adetermination unit 60 and a control unit 62.

The basic string storage unit 50, the substitute string storage unit 52and the speech recognition data storage unit 54 are realized by the DVD25 and the main memory 26, for example. The basic string storage unit 50stores basic strings. The substitute string storage unit 52 stores asubstitute string in a manner corresponding to each of at least some ofthe basic strings stored in the basic string storage unit 50. The speechrecognition data storage unit 54 stores, in regard to basic strings towhich the substitute string has not been stored correspondingly in thesubstitute string storage unit 52 of the basic strings stored in thebasic string storage unit 50, speech recognition data in a mannercorresponding to each of those basic strings, and stores, in regard tobasic strings to which the substitute string has been storedcorrespondingly in the substitute string storage unit 52 of the basicstrings stored in the basic string storage unit 50, speech recognitiondata in a manner corresponding to each of those substitute strings. Thestrings include strings of a length of 1, i.e., characters.

The storage unit 55 including the basic string storage unit 50, thesubstitute string storage unit 52 and the speech recognition datastorage unit 54 stores an option information table such as shown in FIG.3, for example. As shown in FIG. 3, the option information tableincludes option IDs, basic strings, substitute strings and speechrecognition data. The option ID is information for identifying eachoption. In FIG. 3, “Shake!” serving as a basic string, “I said shake!”serving as a substitute string, and “speech recognition data of ‘I saidshake!’” serving as speech recognition data are correlated with theoption ID “001”.

The basic strings are used in both the character input mode and thespeech input mode, and the substitute strings are used only in thespeech input mode. The substitute strings are displayed as options(input criteria) in place of the basic strings during the speech inputmode. When substitute strings have not been registered, the basicstrings are displayed as options (input criteria) during the speechinput mode also. The speech recognition data are used in only the speechinput mode, and are audio data corresponding to strings of the basicstrings or strings of the substitute strings. When substitute stringshave been registered, the speech recognition data are audio datacorresponding to the substitute strings, and when substitute stringshave not been registered, the speech recognition data are audio datacorresponding to the basic strings.

As mentioned previously, in the speech input mode, the playerspeech-inputs the string of the option that the player wishes to select.In this case, depending on the string displayed as the option, there areinstances where this is not suited to speech input. For example, whenthe length of the string is short, there is usually a tendency for thespeech recognition rate to drop, so that even if the option that theplayer wishes to select is instructed by speech input, it is notrecognized that selection of the option has been instructed, whichsignificantly detracts from the game enjoyableness. Thus, the gamedevice 10 is configured to separately store substitute strings in regardto basic strings that have the potential to lead to a drop in the speechrecognition rate. Then, the substitute strings are given priority andused in the speech input mode. Namely, when substitute strings exist,the substitute strings are displayed as options, and when substitutestrings do not exist, the basic strings are displayed as options.

As shown in FIG. 3, the substitute strings may be configured byattaching predetermined strings to the basic strings. The substitutestrings may also be configured by plural repetitions of the basicstrings or by attaching a name (e.g., the name of the nurture targetgame character, such as the name of the dog in the case of the presentembodiment) that the player has set to the basic string. The substitutestrings may also be configured by combining these. For example, a stringwhere a name that the player has set is attached to the basic string,and where a predetermined string is further attached to this, may alsobe used as a substitute string. When a string where a name that theplayer has set is attached to a basic string is used as a substitutestring, audio data corresponding to the basic string may be stored inthe option information table, and speech recognition data may begenerated on the basis of the audio data and the audio datacorresponding to the name at the time of speech recognition processing(S302 in FIG. 8).

The priority input device information acquisition unit 56 is realized bythe hardware and software centered on microprocessor 14, for example,and acquires priority input device information. The priority inputdevice information represents which input of the input devices (theinput device 42, the controller 48, etc.) included in the game device 10is to be given priority. For example, the priority input deviceinformation may be configured so that the player can set the priorityinput device information on a game environment setting screen. In thiscase, the priority input device information acquisition unit 56 may beconfigured to acquire priority input device information set by theplayer. The priority input device information acquisition unit 56 mayalso be configured to acquire the priority input device information bydetecting the connection status of the input devices. In this case, thepriority input device information acquisition unit 56 maybe configuredto store, in advance, prioritized order information in a mannercorresponding to each of connectable input devices and determine theinput device to be used as the priority input device on the basis ofthis prioritized order information.

The input criteria display unit 58 is realized by the software andhardware centered on the microprocessor 14, the graphics processing unit16 and the monitor 18, for example. When the priority input deviceinformation acquired by the priority input device informationacquisition unit 56 represents a character input device (in thecharacter input mode), the input criteria display unit 58 displays, asthe input criteria (options), the basic strings stored in the basicstring storage unit 50. When the priority input device informationrepresents a speech input device (in the speech input mode), the inputcriteria display unit 58 displays, as the input criteria, the basicstrings to which substitute strings have not been stored correspondinglyin the substitute string storage unit 52 of the basic strings stored inthe basic string storage unit 50, and displays, as the input criteria,the substitute strings in regard to the basic strings to whichsubstitute strings have been stored correspondingly in the substitutestring storage unit 52.

Namely, when the acquired priority input device information represents acharacter input device, the input criteria display unit 58 displays thebasic strings (character input criteria) as the input criteria, and whenthe acquired priority input device represents a speech input device, theinput criteria display unit 58 displays the basic strings (characterinput criteria) as the input criteria and displays, in regard topredetermined basic strings (character input criteria), the substitutestrings (speech input criteria) corresponding to the basic strings(character input criteria) as the input criteria.

The determination unit 60 is realized by the hardware and softwarecentered on the microprocessor 14, for example. When the priority inputdevice information acquired by the priority input device informationacquisition unit 56 represents a character input device, thedetermination unit 60 determines whether or not that input correspondsto the input criteria displayed by the input criteria display unit 58.When the priority input device information represents a speech inputdevice, the determination unit 60 determines whether or not that inputcorresponds to the speech recognition data correlated with the inputcriteria displayed by the input criteria display unit 58.

The control unit 62 is realized by the hardware and software centered onthe microprocessor 14, for example, and controls the game (e.g., causesthe story of the game to progress, changes the parameters of the nurturetarget game character, etc.) on the basis of the result of determinationby the determination unit 60.

The operation of the game device 10 will be described below.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show examples of a game screen displayed on the monitor 18of the game device 10 of the present embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an exampleof the game screen in the character input mode, and FIG. 5 shows anexample of the game screen in the speech input mode. Here, descriptionwill be given assuming that the options of the string IDs “001” to “003”in the option information table (FIG. 3) are displayed on the gamescreen.

The game device 10 of the present embodiment is configured so that theplayer can select the input mode (the selection of the character inputmode or the speech input mode) on a game environment setting screen. Ifthe player wishes to use a character input device, then the playerselects the character input mode on the game environment setting screen,and if the player wishes to use a speech input device, then the playerselects the speech input mode on the game environment setting screen.The game device 10 may be configured so that the game environmentsetting screen is presented as one option function, for example. Thegame device 10 may also be configured so that the selection of the inputmode is done on the basis of the connection status of the input devices.For example, when a character input device is connected to the gamedevice 10, the character input mode may be automatically selected, andwhen a speech input device is connected to the game device 10, thespeech input mode may be automatically selected. The game device 10 mayalso be configured so that a prioritized order is stored in regard toeach of the input devices and the input mode is selected on the basis ofthe prioritized order. For example, the prioritized order may beconfigured so that when a character input device and a speech inputdevice are connected to the game device 10, the speech input mode isselected.

As shown in FIG. 4, options (symbolic images representing options) 72 ato 72 c are displayed on a game screen 70 in the character input mode.Strings (input criteria), such as “Shake!”, “Sit!” and “Jump!”, aredisplayed as the options 72 a to 72 c. When the string of the optionthat the player wishes to select among the displayed strings (inputcriteria) is properly inputted with a character input device, then thatoption is selected (determined). For example, if the player wishes toselect the option “Sit!”, then the player inputs “Sit!” with thecharacter input device. The character input mode is configured so thatthe display of the input criteria is updated each time one character isproperly inputted. For example, the character input mode is configuredso that when “Si” has been inputted to select the option “Sit!”, “t!” isdisplayed as the input criterion of that option.

As shown in FIG. 5, similar to the character input mode, options(symbolic images representing options) 72 a to 72 c are displayed on thegame screen 70 in the speech input mode. In contrast to the characterinput mode, “I said shake!” is displayed as the option 72 a. The option72 a is displayed in this manner because, as shown in FIG. 3, “I saidshake!” is registered in a manner corresponding to the basic string“Shake!”. When a voice corresponding to the string of the option thatthe player wishes to select from among the displayed strings (inputcriteria) is properly inputted with a speech input device, then thatoption is selected (determined) For example, if the player wishes toselect “I said shake!”, then the player inputs “I said shake!” with thespeech input device.

A time limit is disposed on the game screen 70 (FIG. 4 or 5). Thus, itis necessary for the player to complete the selection (determination) ofthe option by properly inputting, within the time limit, one of thestrings (input criteria) of the options using the character input deviceor the speech input device.

Next, the processing in the game device 10, and particularly theprocessing relating to the present invention, will be described. Theprocessing described below is realized by the game program beingexecuted in the game device 10.

FIG. 6 shows processing for displaying the game screen 70 (FIG. 4 or 5).As shown in FIG. 6, in this processing, first the option ID of an optionto be displayed on the game screen 70 (when there are plural option IDs,the first ID) is acquired (S101). The present embodiment is configuredso that the option ID of the display target is stored per game screen,and the option ID is acquired on the basis of this. Next, it isdetermined whether or not the input mode is the speech input mode(S102). Namely, the priority input device information is acquired.Because the present embodiment is configured so that the setting of theinput mode is done on the game environment setting screen, whether ornot the input mode is the speech input mode is acquired on the basis ofthe setting content. When the input mode is not the speech input mode,i.e., when the input mode is the character input mode, the basic stringof the option ID (below, target option ID) acquired in S101 is acquiredfrom the option information table (FIG. 3) (S106).

When the input mode is the speech input mode, whether or not asubstitute string has been registered in regard to the target option IDis determined on the basis of the option information table (S103) Whenno substitute string has been registered, the basic string of the targetoption ID is acquired from the option information table (S105). When asubstitute string has been registered, that substitute string isacquired from the option information table (S104). In this case, thespeech recognition data are also acquired (S107). Then, it is determinedwhether or not there are other options to be displayed on the gamescreen 70 (S108). When there are other options, the next option ID isacquired in S101, and the processing of S102 to S107 is similarlyexecuted. In this manner, the processing of S101 to S107 is executed inregard to all options to be displayed on the game screen 70.

Then, the game screen 70 is displayed (S109). In the case of thecharacter input mode, display of the options (input criteria) isconducted on the basis of the basic strings acquired in S106. In thecase of the speech input mode, display of the options (input criteria)is conducted on the basis of the basic strings acquired in S105 or thesubstitute strings acquired in S104. In this case, the data for speechrecognition acquired in S107 are read in the main memory 26. Then, theprocessing ends.

Next, the selection processing on the game screen 70 will be described.FIGS. 7 and 8 show the selection processing on the game screen 70. FIG.7 shows selection processing in the character input mode, and FIG. 8shows selection processing in the speech input mode.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the selection processing in the character inputmode, it is determined whether or not the time for making the selectionis up (whether or not the time is within the time limit) (S201). When itis determined that the time is up (the time limit has passed), theprocessing ends. When it is determined that the time is within the timelimit, it is determined whether or not an operation has been executed bythe player (S202). When an operation has not been executed, monitoringis continued in regard to whether or not the time is up (S201) andwhether or not an operation has been done (S202).

When an operation has been done, it is determined whether or not theoperation is an await operation of an option (S203). Here, awaitoperation is an operation inputting the first characters of part of aselection candidate excluding the already-inputted part. When the firstcharacters of an option have-not yet been inputted, the operationinputting the first characters of all options becomes an awaitoperation. By selection candidate is meant an option whose prefixmatches that of the already-inputted string. The present embodiment isconfigured so that only the non-inputted part of the selection candidateis displayed on the game screen 70 (selection screen). When theoperation is not an await operation of an option, monitoring is done inregard to whether or not the time is up (S201) and whether or not anoperation has been done (S202).

When the operation is an await operation of an option, it is determinedwhether or not all operations have ended (S204). “All operations ended”refers to a state where all characters have been properly inputted inregard to a option. When all operations have not ended, the awaitoperation is updated (S205). Here, a selection candidate is firstdetermined. Namely, an option whose prefix matches that of thealready-inputted string serves as the selection candidate. Then, theawait operation is updated to an operation inputting the firstcharacters (the characters to be inputted next) of the selectioncandidate excluding the already-inputted part.

Next, an option other than the selection candidate is recorded (S206).Namely, the selection candidate whose prefix matches that of thealready-inputted string is recorded. Then, the selection screen isupdated (S207). The selection screen is updated so that display ofoptions other than the selection candidate is limited on the basis ofthe information recorded in S206. The selection screen is also updatedso that only the non-inputted part is displayed in regard to theselection candidate. Then, monitoring is done in regard to whether ornot the time is up (S201) and whether or not an operation has been done(S202).

When it is determined in S204 that all operations have ended, the optionfor which all characters have been inputted is determined to be theoption selected by the player (S208), and the processing ends.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the selection processing in the speech inputmode, it is determined whether or not the time is up (whether or not thetime is within the time limit) (S301). When it is determined that thetime is up (the time limit has passed), the processing ends. When it isdetermined that the time is within the time limit, it is determinedwhether or not an input voice has been acquired (S302). When an inputvoice has not been acquired, monitoring of whether or not the time is up(S301) and whether or not an input voice has been acquired (S302) iscontinued.

When an input voice has been acquired, the degree to which the inputvoice matches the speech recognition data corresponding to each optionis acquired (S303). The matching degree is acquired by comparing theinput voice data with the audio data read in the main memory 26. Next,it is determined whether there is a matching degree equal to or greaterthan a predetermined matching degree in regard to each matching degreeacquired in step S303 (S304). When there is no matching degree equal toor greater than the predetermined matching degree, monitoring of whetheror not the time is up (S301) and whether or not an input voice has beenacquired (S302) is continued.

When there is a matching degree equal to or greater than thepredetermined matching degree, then the option corresponding to thespeech recognition data of that matching degree is determined to be theoption selected by the player (S305). When there are plural matchingdegrees equal to or greater than the predetermined matching degree, theprocessing may be configured so that the option corresponding to thespeech recognition data with the higher matching degree is determined tobe the option selected by the player. The processing may also beconfigured so that, similar to the case where there-is no matchingdegree equal to or greater than the predetermined matching degreebecause one option cannot be identified, monitoring of whether or notthe time is up (S301) and whether or not an input voice has beenacquired (S302) continues, or speech input may again be prompted of theplayer.

As described-above, according to the game device 10 of the presentembodiment, in regard to predetermined options, basic strings andsubstitute strings are stored and speech recognition data correspondingto the substitute strings are stored. Additionally, in the speech inputmode, the substitute strings are displayed as options in place of thebasic strings in regard to the predetermined options. For this reason,when using a speech input device (in the speech input mode), optionsmore suited to speech input can be displayed instead of options notsuited to speech input. By configuring the invention in this manner, forexample, during speech input, options more suited to speech recognitioncan be displayed in regard to options not suited to speech recognition,such as the speech recognition rate becoming lower due to the length ofthe string being short.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

For example, the invention may also be configured so that the displayfont size of the options (input criteria) is changed in accordance withthe input mode (priority input device information) on the game screen70. For example, the invention may also be configured so that the fontsize is changed between the character input mode and the speech inputmode. By configuring the invention in this manner, the display font sizeof the options can made to suit the features (characteristics) of theinput mode. For example, when the predetermined input mode is configuredin view of younger players, the option display font size in thepredetermined input mode can be made larger.

The invention may also be configured so that, for example, theprobability of predetermined game events is controlled in accordancewith the input mode (on the basis of the priority input deviceinformation). Here, the game events may be mini-games occurring in thegame, for example. By configuring the invention in this manner, theprobability of game events can be changed in accordance with thefeatures (characteristics) of the input device. For example, theprobability of mini-games that are difficult to adapt to a speech inputdevice can be lowered (e.g., so that they do not occur at all) in thespeech input mode.

The above description was in regard to an example where the inventionwas implemented using the home-use game device 11, but the invention issimilarly applicable to a commercial-use game device. In this case, itis preferable to use a higher-speed memory device in place of the DVD 25and integrally form the monitor 18 and the speaker 22.

Moreover, in the above description, the program was supplied from theDVD 25, which is an information storage medium, to the home-use gamedevice 46, but the program may also be distributed to homes and the likevia a communications network. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the overallconfiguration of a program distribution system using a communicationsnetwork. A program distribution method of the invention will now bedescribed on the basis of FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, a programdistribution system 100 includes a game database 102 (informationstorage medium), a server 104, a communications network 106, a personalcomputer 108, a home-use game device 110 and a PDA (portable informationterminal) 112. Of these, a program distribution device 114 is configuredby the database 102 and the server 104. The communications network 106includes, for example, the Internet and cable television networks. Inthis system, the same program as that stored on the DVD 25 is stored inthe game database 102. Consumers request distribution of the game usingthe personal computer 108, the home-use game device 110 or the PDA 112,whereby this request is conveyed to the server 104 via thecommunications network 106. Then, the server 104 reads the program fromthe game database 102 in response to the game distribution request, andtransmits the game to the game distribution requester, such as thepersonal computer 108, the home-use game device 110 or the PDA 112.Here, the program distribution method is configured so that the game isdistributed in response to the game distribution request, but theprogram distribution method may also be configured so that the game istransmitted unilaterally from the server 104. Also, it is not invariablynecessary for all, programs necessary to realize the game to bedistributed at once (all-at-once distribution); the program distributionmethod may be configured so that the necessary portions are distributedin response to the stages of the game (partial distribution). Byconfiguring the program distribution method in this manner, so that thegame is distributed via the communications network 106, consumers caneasily acquire the program.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, according to the present invention, when thepriority input device information represents a speech input device, inregard to predetermined character input criteria, the speech inputcriteria corresponding to the character input criteria are displayed asthe input criteria, and determination with respect to the input can bedone on the basis of the speech recognition data corresponding to thespeech input criteria. By configuring the invention in this manner,input criteria more suited to speech input can be displayed in place ofinput criteria not suited to speech input at the time of speech input.

1. A nurture simulation game device which displays input strings on a game screen as options whereby the player selects the options using one of a character input device and a speech input device, the nurture simulation game device comprising: basic string storage means for storing a plurality of basic strings; substitute string storage means for storing a substitute string corresponding to each of at least one of the plurality of basic strings stored in the basic string storage means when the basic string is not suited for speech recognition and have potential to lead to a drop in speech recognition rate; speech recognition data storage means which, stores speech recognition data corresponding to the basic string when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has not been stored in the substitute string storage means, and stores speech recognition data corresponding to the substitute string when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has been stored in the substitute string storage means, priority input device information acquisition means for acquiring priority input device information; input criteria display means which, when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that a character input device is selected, displays, as input criteria, the basic strings corresponding to a target option ID are stored in the basic string storage means, and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that a speech input device is selected, determines the substitute string corresponding to the target option ID is stored in the substitute string storage means, and if the substitute string is present, the input criteria display means displays the substitute string as the input criteria and if the substitute string is not present, displays the basic string as the input criteria; determination means which, when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that the character input device is selected, determines whether or not the input thereof corresponds to the input criteria displayed by the input criteria display means, and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that the speech input device is selected, determines whether or not the input thereof corresponds to the speech recognition data correlated with the input criteria displayed by the input criteria display means; and control means for controlling the game on a basis of the result of determination by the determination means, wherein the basic strings and the substitute strings are different and the substitute string comprises the basic string and an additional string attached to the corresponding basic string, and wherein the nurture simulation game device stores an option information table in which a plurality of target option IDs, the basic strings, the substitute strings and the speech recognition data are correlated, wherein when the speech input device is selected, whether or not the substitute string corresponding to the target option ID is registered in the option information table is determined; and when there is no substitute string registered in the option information table, the basic string and the speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used and when the substitute string is registered in the option information table, the substitute string and speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used.
 2. The game device of claim 1, wherein the input criteria display means displays, as the input criteria, the basic strings or the substitute strings in a font size according to the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means.
 3. The game device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means comprises means for controlling the probability of predetermined game events on the basis of the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means.
 4. The game device as in any one of claims 1 and 2 wherein the game device is connectable to the character input device and the speech input device.
 5. The game device of claim 1, wherein the substitute string is configured by having a string attached to a corresponding basic string.
 6. The nurture simulation game device according to claim 1, wherein the substitute strings comprise plural repetitions of the basic strings.
 7. The nurture simulation game device according to claim 1, wherein the substitute strings comprise a name attached to the basic strings.
 8. The nurture simulation game device according to claim 1, wherein each of the option IDs that are stored in the option information table correspond to a different display on the game screen.
 9. The nurture simulation game device according to claim 1, when the input mode is the character input mode, the basic string corresponding to the target option ID is acquired from one of the plurality of target option IDs in the option information table.
 10. A control method for a nurture simulation game device which displays input strings on a game screen as options whereby the player selects the options using one of a character input device and a speech input device, the control method comprising: storing a plurality of basic strings in a basic string storage unit; storing a substitute string, corresponding to each of at least one of the plurality of basic strings stored in the basic strings storage unit, in substitute string storage unit when the basic string is not suited for speech recognition and have potential to lead to a drop in speech recognition rate; storing speech recognition data corresponding to the basic string in the speech recognition data storage unit when the substitute string corresponding to basic strings has not been stored in the substitute string storage unit, and storing speech recognition data corresponding to the substitute string in the speech recognition data storage unit when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has been stored in the substitute string storage unit, acquiring priority input device information by a priority input device information acquisition unit; displaying, on display unit, input criteria, wherein when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition unit indicates that the character input device is selected, the basic strings stored in the basic string storage unit is displayed as the input criteria and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition unit indicates that the speech input device is selected, determining the substitute string corresponding to a target option is stored in the substitute string storage unit, and if the substitute string is present, displaying the substitute string as the input criteria and if the substitute string is not present, displaying the basic string as the input criteria, determining whether or not user input through the character input device corresponds to the input criteria displayed on the display unit and controlling a game on a basis of the determination result; and determining whether or not user input through the speech input device corresponds to speech recognition data corresponding to the input criteria, displayed on the display unit, and controlling the game on a basis of the determination result, wherein the basic strings and the substitute strings are different and the substitute string comprises the basic string and an additional string attached to the corresponding basic string, and wherein the nurture simulation game device stores an option information table in which a plurality of target option IDs, the basic strings, the substitute strings and the speech recognition data are correlated, wherein when the speech input device is selected, whether or not the substitute string corresponding to the target option ID is registered in the option information table is determined; and when there is no substitute string registered in the option information table, the basic string and the speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used and when the substitute string is registered in the option information table, the substitute string and speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used.
 11. A program distribution device comprising an information storage medium in which is recorded the program for having a computer function as a nurture simulation game device which displays input strings on a game screen as options whereby the player selects the options using one of a character input device and a speech input device, wherein the program distribution device reads the program from the information storage medium, and distributes the program, the program comprising instruction for causing a computer to: store a plurality of basic strings basic string storage unit; store a substitute string corresponding to each of at least one of the plurality of basic strings stored in the basic string storage unit in the substitute string storage unit when the basic string is not suited for speech recognition and have potential to lead to a drop in speech recognition rate; store speech recognition data corresponding to the basic string in the speech recognition data storage unit when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has not been stored in the substitute string storage unit, and store speech recognition data corresponding to the substitute string in the speech recognition data storage unit when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has been stored in the substitute string storage unit, acquire priority input device information by priority input device information acquisition unit; display, on display unit, input criteria, wherein when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition unit indicates that the character input device is selected, the basic strings stored in the basic string storage unit is displayed as the input criteria and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition unit indicates that the speech input device is selected, determines the substitute string corresponding to a target option is stored in the substitute string storage means, and if the substitute string is present, the input criteria display means displays the substitute string as the input criteria and if the substitute string is not present, displays the basic string as the input criteria, determine whether or not user input through the character input device corresponds to the input criteria displayed on the display unit, and control a game on a basis of the determination result; and determine whether or not user input through the speech input device corresponds to speech recognition data corresponding to the input criteria displayed on the display unit, and control the game on a basis of the determination result, wherein the basic strings and the substitute strings are different and the substitute string comprises the basic string and an additional string attached to the corresponding basic string, and wherein the nurture simulation game device stores an option information table in which a plurality of target option IDs, the basic strings, the substitute strings and the speech recognition data are correlated, wherein when the speech input device is selected, whether or not the substitute string corresponding to the target option ID is registered in the option information table is determined; and when there is no substitute string registered in the option information table the basic string and the speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used and when the substitute string is registered in the option information table, the substitute string and speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used.
 12. A computer-readable information storage medium in which is stored a program for having a computer to function as a nurture simulation game device which displays input strings on a game screen as options whereby the player selects the options using one of a character input device and a speech input device, comprising: storing a plurality of basic strings in a basic string storage unit; storing a substitute string, corresponding to each of at least one of the plurality of basic strings stored in the basic strings storage unit, in substitute string storage unit when the basic string is not suited for speech recognition and have potential to lead to a drop in speech recognition rate; storing speech recognition data corresponding to the basic string in the speech recognition data storage unit when the substitute string corresponding to basic strings has not been stored in the substitute string storage unit, and storing speech recognition data corresponding to the substitute string in the speech recognition data storage unit when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has been stored in the substitute string storage unit; acquiring priority input device information by a priority input device information acquisition unit; displaying, on display unit, input criteria, wherein when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition unit indicates that the character input device is selected, the basic strings stored in the basic string storage unit is displayed as the input criteria and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition unit indicates that the speech input device is selected, determining the substitute string corresponding to a target option is stored in the substitute string storage unit, and if the substitute string is present, displaying the substitute string as the input criteria and if the substitute string is not present, displaying the basic string as the input criteria; determining whether or not user input through the character input device corresponds to the input criteria displayed on the display unit, and controlling a game on a basis of the determination result; and determining whether or not user input through the speech input device corresponds to speech recognition data corresponding to the input criteria displayed on the display unit, and controlling the game on a basis of the determination result, wherein the basic strings and the substitute strings are different and the substitute string comprises the basic string and an additional string attached to the corresponding basic string, and wherein the nurture simulation game device stores an option information table in which a plurality of target option IDs, the basic strings, the substitute strings and the speech recognition data are correlated, wherein when the speech input device is selected, whether or not the substitute string corresponding to the target option ID is registered in the option information table is determined: and when there is no substitute string registered in the option information table, the basic string and the speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used and when the substitute string is registered in the option information table, the substitute string and speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used.
 13. A nurture simulation game device which displays input strings on a game screen as options whereby the player selects the options using one of a character input device and a speech input device, the nurture simulation game device comprising: basic string storage means for storing a plurality of basic strings; substitute string storage means for storing a substitute string corresponding to each of at least one of the plurality of basic strings stored in the basic string storage means when the basic string is not suited for speech recognition and have potential to lead to a drop in speech recognition rate; speech recognition data storage means which, stores speech recognition data corresponding to the basic string when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has not been stored in the substitute string storage means, and stores speech recognition data corresponding to the substitute string when the substitute string corresponding to the basic strings has been stored in the substitute string storage means, priority input device information acquisition means for acquiring priority input device information; input criteria display means which, when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that the character input device is selected, displays, as input criteria, the basic strings stored in the basic string storage means, and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that the speech input device is selected, determines the substitute string corresponding to a target option is stored in the substitute string storage means, and if the substitute string is present, the input criteria display means displays the substitute string as the input criteria and if the substitute string is not present, displays the basic string as the input criteria; determination means which, when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that the character input device is selected, determines whether or not the input thereof corresponds to the input criteria displayed by the input criteria display means, and when the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means indicates that the speech input device is selected, determines whether or not the input thereof corresponds to the speech recognition data correlated with the input criteria displayed by the input criteria display means; and control means for controlling the game on a basis of the result of determination by the determination means, wherein the control means comprises means for controlling the probability of predetermined game events on the basis of the priority input device information acquired by the priority input device information acquisition means and the game device is connectable to the character input device and the speech input device, wherein the basic strings and the substitute strings are different and the substitute string comprises the basic string and an additional string attached to the corresponding basic string, and wherein the nurture simulation game device stores an option information table in which a plurality of target option IDs, the basic strings, the substitute strings and the speech recognition data are correlated, wherein when the speech input device is selected, whether or not the substitute string corresponding to the target option ID is registered in the option information table is determined; and when there is no substitute string registered in the option information table, the basic string and the speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used and when the substitute string is registered in the option information table, the substitute string and speech recognition data corresponding to the target option ID is used. 